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Additional charges laid in Coutts blockade

Mar 16, 2022 | 3:56 PM

COUTTS, AB – RCMP have laid more charges against members of the Coutts convoy.

At approximately 11:00 am on February 14, 2022, officers say they were monitoring traffic at a check stop near the protest.

RCMP noted a large commercial vehicle pull to the side of the road and stop.

“After a short period of time, the vehicle accelerated and drove at officers who had to run out of the way to avoid getting hit,” reads a media release from Alberta RCMP.

James Edward Sowery, 36, of Flagstaff County, AB, was arrested and has been charged with assault with a weapon and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Joanne Lynne Person, 62, of Coutts, had been previously arrested in connection to the convoy on one count of mischief over $5,000. She now faces an additional charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Her new charge comes after allegations from RCMP that she had attempted to drive through the blockade on February 1, 2022, at approximately 1:10 pm.

Person is scheduled to appear again in Lethbridge Provincial Court on March 23, 2022, while Sowery will make his first appearance on March 28.

Now, a total of 14 people face a variety of charges in relation to the protest including four who each face one count of conspiracy to commit murder.

All of their matters were adjourned earlier this week to March 28 as there is a significant amount of disclosure to review.

READ MORE: Adjournment for Coutts border protesters charged with conspiracy to commit murder

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